The local Methodist Church has a tradition of putting up tableaus during the Christmas season. The twist they never fail to provide is that the visuals are always themed to vexing and contemporary issues. Methodist or otherwise, the effect is usually troubling, affirming, destabilizing, and heart-warming—all in one breath.
Keeping in line with the partisan divides in California around the issue of homosexual rights, the tableau this time has three slides each showing variations of cohabitation: (l-r) a man and woman, two men, and two women.
The California Marriage Protection Act, or what is now in common parlance Proposition/Prop 8, bars homosexual couples from rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. For instance, because marriage is legally defined as a heterosexual union, heterosexual couples can claim each other as dependents when filing their income taxes. Prop 8 bars homosexual couples from doing so. Prop 8 has done the rounds at the annual ballots. Repealing the Act still lingers in a hazy future.
The tableau is apparently an affirmation of solidarity with homosexuals and the efforts to repeal the Act. I am yet to articulate my own investments on the issue. May be it’s because I still haven’t weaned from my own hetero-normative socialization. May be it’s because of personal issues whose scars have taken too long to heal. But I do veer towards affirming the co-equality of all human beings irrespective of gender, race, class, or sexual orientation. Which is why I found myself drawn to the tableau in quite a profound manner. Even as our thoughts merge during this season around the Jesus of Nazareth and his endearing message, I am reminded, as the caption in the tableau-front suggests, “to love those who are different” and toward whom my least reaction would be respect and acknowledgement.
On a more personal note,
Keeping in line with the partisan divides in California around the issue of homosexual rights, the tableau this time has three slides each showing variations of cohabitation: (l-r) a man and woman, two men, and two women.
The California Marriage Protection Act, or what is now in common parlance Proposition/Prop 8, bars homosexual couples from rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. For instance, because marriage is legally defined as a heterosexual union, heterosexual couples can claim each other as dependents when filing their income taxes. Prop 8 bars homosexual couples from doing so. Prop 8 has done the rounds at the annual ballots. Repealing the Act still lingers in a hazy future.
The tableau is apparently an affirmation of solidarity with homosexuals and the efforts to repeal the Act. I am yet to articulate my own investments on the issue. May be it’s because I still haven’t weaned from my own hetero-normative socialization. May be it’s because of personal issues whose scars have taken too long to heal. But I do veer towards affirming the co-equality of all human beings irrespective of gender, race, class, or sexual orientation. Which is why I found myself drawn to the tableau in quite a profound manner. Even as our thoughts merge during this season around the Jesus of Nazareth and his endearing message, I am reminded, as the caption in the tableau-front suggests, “to love those who are different” and toward whom my least reaction would be respect and acknowledgement.
On a more personal note,
4 comments:
lolz... I can see the affects of such "changes" :) You hit the nail right on the head with "the effect is usually troubling, affirming, destabilizing, and heart-warming—all in one breath."
Also, its AWESOME seeing a greetings from my namesake-a and namesake-i :) A very warm Krismas leh Kumthar Chibai to you both too.
haha...changes indeed and you noticed! Thanks for your wishes and hope you have a really meaningful one too.
"...because marriage is legally defined as a heterosexual union, heterosexual couples can claim each other as dependents when filing their income taxes. Prop 8 bars homosexual couples from doing so." yup yup
Mawngkawhur lampang anih hi chuan ka chhiar peihlo/duhlo nghal dawn mai thin. I ziak ania kan chhiar hram a, thu ilo thiam hrep lehnghal a. Han ziak zel rawh khai Hairehai.
Pu HV, i va ti hairehai tha thuai thuai ve aw! Nia mahni tan a different deuh hi chu han belh chhin pawh har kan ti tlang pui. But I think we tap into life's richness and diversity by being open to what is different.
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